General information
Part of Conflict: Moldova: Dniestr
Date of first stated goals of incompatibility: 1991-08-27
Comment on date of first stated goal of incompatibility: On 27 August 1991 Moldavia voted for and declared independence. On the same day the Soviet President Gorbachev stated that those republics that are unwilling to sign a new union treaty "must be given the right of independent choice".
In the Moldovan Independence declaration they explicitly called the Dniester area as part of their historic and ethnic territory. A government official from the PMR (Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic) stated in response "As far as were concerned, Moldavias declaration of independence is that of a neighbouring country, and we want no part of it". On 2 September, reacting on Moldovas independence the PMR voted to join the USSR.
Date of first use of armed force: 1991-09-25
Comment on date of first use of armed force: Three men were wounded in an exchange of fire in Dybossars City Hall between pro-Moldavian forces and Russian volunteer militia.
First Battle Related Death: 1992-03-01
Comment on First Battle Related Death: The separatists opened fire on the police posted on a bridge near the town of Dubossary; the police returned the fire for the first time. Between 5 and 13 people were killed.
Date when dyad reached 25 battle releated deaths: 1992-03-17
Comment on date when dyad reached 25 battle related deaths: Starting in the beginning of March 1992, clashes between the forces of the self-proclamed PMR and Molodovan security forces increased in frequency and intensity. Fighting on 17 March 1992 near the village of Cosnita led the conflict to cross the 25 deaths threshold. Officials of the self-styled PMR said four Cossacks and one guardsman from their region on the left bank of the Dnestr River died in the clash. Moldovan radio said one Moldovan policeman had also been killed.
Conflict issues
Conflict Goal Issues: Pridnistrovs'ka Moldavs'ka Respublika, The Dniester Republic, (PMR) was a secessionist pro-Soviet rebel group that emerged in Moldova following its cessation from the Soviet Union and the collapse of the Soviet Union. The group was established in 1990 with Dniester leaders declaring the sovereignty of Tiraspol. During the year of the group’s emergence, PMR released statements pertaining to several conflict goal issues. The group criticized the elected ruling party of Moldova, the Popular Front of Moldova, for infringing upon minority language rights by promoting Moldovan as a state language rather than Russian. A similar statement was also coded in 1989 from the group. In 1990 the group also called for the rights of minorities to be respected, particularly cultural rights and rights of self-determination and called for sovereignty and independence to be granted to the “Transnistrian Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic” which would be created.
As the conflict progressed, PMR did not release further statements pertaining to cultural or language rights for Transnistrian people. It did, however, reaffirm its commitment to create an independent Transnistrian republic. They also raised several new issues, such as calling for Slavs to be granted civil rights within Moldova. They also proposed several alterations to the Moldovan constitution which would enable an independent Transnistrian republic, grant the republic the ability to determine its economic system and foreign associations, allow for it to create its own executive structure, and hold a referendum to determine the issue of independence. Finally, PMR also expressed its position on Moldovan national adherence, stating that: “As far as were [sic!] concerned, Moldavias declaration of independence is that of a neighbouring country, and we want no part of it.”
Whilst few issues were either frequently or continuously emphasized throughout the short duration of the conflict, the issue of independence was far more heavily emphasized than most other issues, which is why it should be considered at the main issue for PMR. The issue of independence also heavily influenced other important issues for the group, such as irredentism, executive reform, and language rights.
Conflict Dynamics Issues: Whilst no conflict dynamics issues were stated by PMR in its first year of existence, the group stated one issue in 1990, when they accused policemen loyal to the Moldovan government of extrajudicial murder of a militia leader which sparked the Transnistria war. No main conflict dynamics issue was attributed for PMR.
Conflict Resolution Issues: The project coded no statements from PMR pertaining to conflict resolution issues.
Type of conflict issues: Conflict Goal Issues: Civil rights, Constitutional issues, Cultural rights, Economic reforms, Foreign policy reform, Independence, Irredentism, Language rights, Opposition to elections, Referendum, Reform executive structure, Reform parliament
Conflict Dynamics Issues: Atrocities and abuses
Conflict Resolution Issues:
Annual information
This section contains annual information systematically collected by the UCDP.
1991
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Moldova): n/a
Side B (PMR): n/a
1992
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 632 |
| Best | 585 |
| Low | 316 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Moldova): n/a
Side B (PMR): n/a
1993
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Moldova): n/a
Side B (PMR): n/a
1994
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Moldova): n/a
Side B (PMR): n/a
1995
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Moldova): n/a
Side B (PMR): n/a
1996
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Moldova): n/a
Side B (PMR): n/a
1997
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Moldova): n/a
Side B (PMR): n/a
Peace agreements
Name of peace agreement: Memorandum on the Basis for Normalization of Relations between the Republic of Moldova and Transdniestria
Date when warring parties signed the agreement: 1997-05-08
Comment of peace agreement: Partial peace agreement
Signed in Moscow in 1997.
The parties reaffirmed a ceasefire from 1992 and requested that Russia, Ukraine and OSCE would continue their mediation efforts. In the agreement the two sides agreed on building their relations in the framework of the common state but the Dniestr Region would have the right to establish unilaterally, and to maintain, international contacts in the economic, scientific-technical and cultural spheres.
Signatories: For the Republic of Moldova Petru Lucinschi
For Transdniestria Igor Smirnow
Presidents of Russia and Ukraine and the OSCE Chairman-in-Office.
B. Yeltsin, L. Kuchma and N. Helveg Petersen
Comment of signatories: Comprehensive peace agreement
Third parties: Russia, Ukraine and OSCE.
Comment of third parties role in peace agreement: Mediated the agreement.
Full-text peace agreement
1998
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Moldova): n/a
Side B (PMR): n/a
1999
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Moldova): n/a
Side B (PMR): n/a
2000
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Moldova): n/a
Side B (PMR): n/a
2001
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Moldova): n/a
Side B (PMR): n/a
2002
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Moldova): n/a
Side B (PMR): n/a
2003
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Moldova): n/a
Side B (PMR): n/a
2004
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Moldova): n/a
Side B (PMR): n/a
2005
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Moldova): n/a
Side B (PMR): n/a
2006
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Moldova): n/a
Side B (PMR): n/a
2007
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Moldova): n/a
Side B (PMR): n/a
2008
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Moldova): n/a
Side B (PMR): n/a
2009
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Moldova): n/a
Side B (PMR): n/a
2010
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Moldova): n/a
Side B (PMR): n/a
2011
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Moldova): n/a
Side B (PMR): n/a
2012
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Moldova): n/a
Side B (PMR): n/a
2013
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Moldova): n/a
Side B (PMR): n/a
2014
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Moldova): n/a
Side B (PMR): n/a
2015
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Moldova): n/a
Side B (PMR): n/a
2021
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Moldova): n/a
Side B (PMR): n/a
Dyad Archive
This section contains annual information no longer systematically collected by the UCDP.
1991 Dyad Archive
Negotiations: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1992 Dyad Archive
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiations: The ministers of Foreign Affairs of Moldova, Russia, Romania and Ukraine met in Helsinki on 23 March were they stated that the territorial integrity of Moldova was a fundamental part of the settlement of the conflict. They also defined other crucial areas for conflict settlement such as non-involvement of foreign states, respect for the rule of law and human rights. On 6-7 April 1992, a meeting of the ministers of Foreign Affairs of Moldova, Romania, Ukraine and Russian Federation with the participation of the representatives from Tiraspol took place in Chisinau. During this meeting the "Declaration on Transnistria" was adopted. It foresaw the involvement of the "14th army" of the Russian Federation as pacifying forces and guarantees for creation of a free economic zone in location under control of the PMR authorities. A summit of Moldova, Russia, Romania and Ukraine that considered the situation in the eastern part of the Republic of Moldova were held on 25 June 1992 in Istanbul. The summit included talks about a ceasefire, security zones and that the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova should resolve the status of the left bank of the Dniestr. In July the Moldovan President, Mircea Snegur visited Moscow. Among other things the talks concerned the establishment of Russian peacekeeping forces from Russian landing troops. Jeltsin also expressed the Russian official position regarding the future formula for Chisinau - Tiraspol dialogue, which foresaw the integrity of Moldova and elaboration of a political status for the PMR and, initiation of the future dialog between Chisinau and Tiraspol. During negotiations with his Russian counterpart Boris Jeltsin they agreed on the basic principles for the conflict settlement. The results of this meeting were materialized in the Agreement regarding principles for peaceful settlement of the military conflict in the PMR region of Moldovan Republic signed on 21 July 1992 by Russian and Moldovan President.
Victory: NO
Terminated: YES
Type of termination: Ceasefire
Date of termination: 1992-07-21
Comment on Termination: A ceasefire agreement between the Moldovan and Russian President in July ended the violence between the Moldovan Army and the Forces of the Dniestr Republic. Representatives for the Dniestr Republic did not sign the agreement themselves but attended the signing ceremony. It could be argued that the Russian government signed the agreement as proxy for the Dniestr Republic. Five battle-related deaths occurred after the agreement was signed in 1992 but since then it has been no reports of violence between the primary parties.
1993 Dyad Archive
Terminated: NO
1994 Dyad Archive
Terminated: NO
1995 Dyad Archive
Terminated: NO
1996 Dyad Archive
Terminated: NO
1997 Dyad Archive
Terminated: NO
1998 Dyad Archive
Terminated: NO
1999 Dyad Archive
Terminated: NO
2000 Dyad Archive
Terminated: NO
2001 Dyad Archive
Terminated: NO
2002 Dyad Archive
Terminated: NO
2003 Dyad Archive
Terminated: NO
2004 Dyad Archive
Terminated: NO
2005 Dyad Archive
Terminated: NO
2006 Dyad Archive
Terminated: NO
2007 Dyad Archive
Terminated: NO
2008 Dyad Archive
Terminated: NO
2009 Dyad Archive
Terminated: NO
2010 Dyad Archive
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiations: While formal negotiations on the overall status of the Dniester region did not resume in 2010, substantial progress was noted through informal and semi-formal talks. As such, four meetings of the 5+2 group (mediators representing Moldova, Dniester authorities, Ukraine, Russia and OSCE as well as EU and US observers) took place throughout the year under the aegis of OSCE.
Further informal meetings between Moldovan and Transnistrian officials took place at various levels, but only touched upon highly specific issues, such as electricity exports and cross-border railroad traffic.
Further, on 17 May 2010, Russian Prime-Minister D. Medvedev and Ukrainian Prime-Minister V. Yanukovich issued a joint statement with regards to the Transnistrian mediation process. This attracted significant attention from the EU which voiced intent to take a more involved stance in finding a solution to the Dniester conflict.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2011 Dyad Archive
Terminated: NO
2012 Dyad Archive
Terminated: NO
2013 Dyad Archive
Terminated: NO
2014 Dyad Archive
Terminated: NO
2015 Dyad Archive
Terminated: NO
2021 Dyad Archive
Terminated: NO
